Racialisation of Pakatan Harapan

Press Statement by Agora Society on 17 March 2018

Agora Society congratulates Pakatan Harapan for releasing the GE14 manifesto Book of Hope that embodies significant reforms such as the decentralisation of federal power, abolition of draconian laws, electoral reforms, introduction of EPF for housewives and anti-sexual harassment bill.

However, we regret to note that the Book of Hope also shows complex characteristics of populist, welfarist, reformist and racialist that compartmentalise Malaysians along racial lines. The 203 pages of manifesto has mentioned in total 25 times the term Bumiputera, 35 times Malays, 5 times Chinese, 48 times Indian and 24 times Orang Asal. Many preferential social and economic policies for Bumiputera were openly stated.

On the contrary, the PR’s Orange book back in 2013 vowed to shift the focus of the government policies from ones that are based on Bumiputera equity to ones that aim at the increment of household income of all Malaysians. It also stressed that affirmative actions should be need-based rather than race-based. While the Orange Book also upheld the constitutional protection of Islam, Malay language, special position of Malays and the Monarchy, most of its policies were based on universal rights for all citizens and classes.


This indicates the dominant role of PPBM in the PH. In spite of being the smallest and the newest partner in the PH, not only has PPBM been given the most number of candidates to contest for the parliamentary seats in peninsular Malaysia, including the prime ministerial candidate, the manifesto has not shy away from echoing many of the PPBM’s tune.

It appears to us that PH attempts to portray itself as a Bumiputera-dominated coalition in order to woo the support of the conservative voters among the Malay Malaysians in effecting regime change. But the racialised strategy will inevitably reshape PH’s ideology into one that bears more resemblance to that of BN, both now accept Malay supremacy as the unwritten constitution of the country since 1969.

This compromise comes with a price. The racialisation of the PH manifesto marks the demise of new politics emerged since 1998, where people’s power, social justice and human rights for all were the main themes.

Whithered Local Government Election?

The manifesto has dropped DAP and PKR’s past promise altogether of restoring the local government election, but instead replaced it with only pledges to strengthen the existing appointee system practiced in Selangor and Penang government by increasing accountability and to allocate seats for civil society organisations.

Both governments have either halted their efforts or shown hesitations in pursuing this matter.
After the Penang state assembly's effort in pushing for the local government election initiated in 2012 has ended with the federal court's ruling in 2014 against Penang state government that it has not right to conduct local election, there has been no subsequent actions taken to continue this fight.

The Selangor PR state government has on the other hand shown its hesitation to reinstate the local election by stating the concerns for probable ethnic-composition in the city or municipal councils as reasons, which proponent is PAS. As PAS is no longer a constituent of PH, the local election agenda should come back to the negotiating table. Yet, it is missing from the manifesto. A full explanation from PH is in order.

Perhaps PH could borrow a leaf out of the Manifesto of the 99% in this regard.

Transitional Justice

We are also aware that the opposition is selectively condemning wrongdoings by and demanding accountability from  the Najib's administration, but is conveniently silent on those commited by his predecessor's  administration, a stance that the opposition parties had previously been advocated for decades, before Mahathir Mohamad has officially affiliated with the opposition in 2016.

As the PH is aiming for  the first regime change at federal level in Malaysian history, it is crucial for it to pursue transitional justice. The  opportunity presented by regime change must be seized to respond to injustices, to seek to remedy the harms caused and the perpetrators brought to justice.

Therefore, we call upon the PH to set up a transitional justice commission once elected to power. The commission should investigate the scandals more than those listed by Book of Hope to also include Operasi Lalang, Memali tragedy, BMF and forex scandals, persecution against Reformasi activists, the murder of Teoh Beng Hock and the mass arrest of BERSIH 2 activists.

If PH is truly committed to advocate for political accountability, the proposed transitional justice commission will be the best measure to show that PH renounce the dictatorial practice and embrace accountability.

Walk the Talk on Chief Minister’s Term Limit

PH calls for a two term limit for the position of Prime Minister, Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers but exempting its restriction on the incumbent Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali is at best confusing.

In fact, the term limit restriction should also be imposed on Mahathir Mohamad, who had held the post of Prime Minister since 1981 for 4 terms– 1982-1986, 1986-1990, 1990-1995, 1995-1999, over 22 years .

The refusal to impose the same restriction on Lim Guan Eng, Azmin Ali and Mahathir Mohamad also implies that rules are not meant to be applied equally and that more powerful political figures are entitled to privileges not enjoyed by others. This decision directly defeats the purpose of the term limitation  to prevent accumulation of powers and curb the abuse of power by few, which well exhibited during Mahathir’s 22 year rule.

We urge PH to stay true to its original course and live up to its promise to its supporters of bringing about institutional reforms that can help shape our country into a more democratic and just nation where good governance is the norm and  which people enjoy freedoms and rights equally.

About Us

Agora Society Malaysia is a loose network of intellectuals, writers and activists who advance democratic progress in Malaysia through critical analyses and propositions based on the principles of democracy and good governance.

Inspired by the agora, an open space in ancient Greek cities serving as an assembly area and a place for civic, social, spiritual and political activities, we aim to provide a public space for intellectual discussions and rational debates, with the intention for it to serve as a platform through which lessons are learned, concepts challenged and ideas born.

We pledge to be an independent voice of civil society which speaks truth to those in power without fear or favour. Our critiques will be based solely on our conscience and will not be dictated by any strategic or partisan interest.